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History in the making

Graduating seniors from Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart proceed into the Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel to begin commencement exercises Friday for the school’s first graduating class.(Photo: Freddie Herpin, Daily World)

There were two commencement exercises at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau Friday, but only one was the first of its kind.

The Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart all-boys school celebrated its first graduation ceremony since its creation in 2006. Thirteen students received diplomas on the Sacred Heart campus.

"It's awesome to be part of history like this," said Kaleb Frey, one of the graduates. "To have this honor is awesome."

Bo Belanger, upper school head at Berchmans, was caught in a bit of nostalgia after the ceremony.

"It's a bittersweet moment," Belanger said. "I came to Berchmans Academy as their dean of students when they were in the ninth grade, so I've been working with this particular group for the past four years. They've been kind of like my kids. I know they'll all be successful and they're a great group of guys, but it will be sad not to look over my shoulder and see them.

"These guys really have stepped up to the plate and have shown us what Berchmans gentlemen are supposed to look like," continued Belanger. "The girls school is celebrating the closing of their 193rd year and we look to them for our traditions and inspiration and these guys took that and molded it into Berchmans and showed us what it's like to be a boy at Sacred Heart."

The graduates, all clad in matching attire, each received their diplomas following a Mass presided by Bishop Michael Jarrell.

Brian Thibodeaux was named the salutatorian and Jacob Moreau was honored as the valedictorian.

"We've worked hard to come to this point," Moreau said. "We're satisfying everyone's expectations and ending one part of our lives to start another that is brighter because of our time here."

Moreau's parents said they were impressed with their son's accomplishment.

"I'm tremendously proud," said Jude Moreau, Jacob Moreau's father. "It's nothing I had dreamed of before, and I've been impressed with Jacob and the school every step of the way."

"It's a proud moment," said Lynn Moreau, Jacob's mother. "I'd like to take the credit for it, but I have to give it to Jacob. He has been a hard worker since the beginning. He put in the time and effort and he did what he had to do to make it work."

Jacob Moreau and Frey both said they believed Berchmans helped them even more than in the classroom — the school also helped teach them to become men.

Jacob Moreau plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to pursue a degree in civil engineering with a second major in either industrial technology or petroleum geology.

Frey will be attending the American Music and Drama Academy in New York City to major in performing arts.

Belanger said the school has eight students scheduled to graduate next year, but they have stronger numbers down the pipeline. He said there are a few things that separate Berchmans Academy from other private institutions.

"We have the network of Sacred Heart Schools that helps us," he said. "We have the five goals that we live by, which encourage the students to take responsibility for their own growth and you can see that. We have a relaxed atmosphere, but the guys know they have many privileges and if they mess up, those privileges will be taken away from them. We have the philosophy that we don't need rules if you don't make us need rules. That makes us different."